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NRVC encourages people to freely distribute the above video in celebrating World Day for Consecrated Life.

NRVC has produced two new resources for celebrating World Day for Consecrated Life, to take place February 2, with parishes celebrating it February 4-5.

Artwork used in NRVC's newest vocation prayer card.

Based on interviews with those who attended the NRVC Convocation in October, NRVC Board member Father Toby Collins, C.R. and Andrew Turski created an upbeat 2.4-minute video titled, "Why we love our vocation." NRVC encourages people to make free use of this video. Consider posting it on social media sites, sending the link by email, using it during celebrations, etc.

NRVC also has produced a new prayer card ideal for use in connection with World Day for Consecrated Life. It features the beautiful "Wake up the World" icon art of Vivian Imbruglia and a prayer drawn from the words of Pope Francis. It may be downloaded. Or it may be purchased in packs of 100 for $8 per pack for members or $12 for non-members, plus shipping and handling.

For further ideas and resources for celebrating World Day for Consecrated Life, see what is available from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Serra International.

The current NRVC Board.

Do you know an outstanding vocation minister? Consider nominating that person to serve on the NRVC Board. Board members attend three meetings a year, each of which lasts four days.

"We believe people are greatly enriched through board service," says NRVC Board chair Brother Ronnie Hingle, S.C. Board members have the chance to network, learn, and help shape vocation ministry at a national level.

Self nominations are accepted, and all nominations are due by March 1. The board will select new members at its March meeting and hold an orientation for them in August.

Forms for making a nomination are at nrvc.net. To learn more about board responsibilities and the growth and learning that can be gained through board service, contact any current board member.

A young adult preparing to be a Vocation Ambassador makes a point during the inaugural Vocation Ambassadors training program held in 2016.

NRVC is pleased to announce the following workshop opportunities for the coming year. Registration will begin in early February, at which time NRVC members will receive details by email, and full information will appear at nrvc.net.

Vocation Ambassadors Program
Father Larry Rice, C.S.P. and other presenters
June 9-12
Holy Cross College, South Bend, IN

SUMMER INSTITUTE 2017

Behavioral Assessment 1
Father Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D.
July 10-12
De Paul University Loop Campus, Chicago, IL

Ethics in Vocation and Formation Ministry
Father Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D.
July 14-15
De Paul University Loop Campus, Chicago, IL

Understanding and Assessing Psycho-Sexual Integration
Sister Lynn Levo, C.S.J.
July 17-20
DePaul University Loop Campus, Chicago, IL

Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors
Sister Deborah Borneman, SS.C.M. and a co-presenter to be announced
July 21-25
DePaul University Loop Campus, Chicago, IL

FALL INSTITUTE 2017

Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors
Sister Deborah Borneman, SS.C.M. and a co-presenter to be announced
October 11-15
Marillac Center, Leavenworth, KS

Behavioral Assessment 1
Father Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D.
October 16-18
Marillac Center, Leavenworth, KS

Behavioral Assessment 2
Father Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D.
October 20-21
Marillac Center, Leavenworth, KS

Starting January 9 NRVC members seeking help to pay the education debt of new members may apply for assistance from the National Fund for Catholic Religious Vocations (NFCRV).

All applications must be submitted online, and the application deadline is March 13. Institutes that received grant monies in 2016 are ineligible to apply in 2017.

To date the NFCRV has awarded 19 grants to help people entering religious life do so in spite of holding college debt. For more information see nfcrv.org.

NRVC members from any part of the country are welcome to attend these forthcoming events.

The Delaware Valley member area is sponsoring a retreat for vocation and formation directors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on February 2 at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia). Sister Karen Doyle, S.S.J. will lead the retreat, which has a theme of cultivating a discerning heart. To register or obtain details contact Sister Celeste Mokrzycki, S.S.J. at 215-248-7200 or cmokrzycki@ssjphila.org. 

The Southwest member area will meet in San Antonio, Texas February 6-7. For details contact either of the co-chairs: Brother Jonathan Beebe, C.S.C. at 917-538-756, holycrossbrother@gmail.com or Sister Roselle Haas, R.C. at 281-497-3131, ext. 145, rhaasrc@gmail.com.

These new prayer cards make a beautiful giveaway at vocation events or to send with jubilee announcements or thank you letters. The art is by iconographer Vivian Imbruglia, and the words are derived from Pope Francis' message at the conclusion of the Year of Consecrated Life.

A pack of 100 is only $8 for members, $12 for non-members. Order them at the NRVC online store. Members may also download the card.

In vocation ministry a major goal of communications is to encourage face-to-face contact with people open to religious life. Pictured here is NRVC member Sister Dorothy Ann Dirkx, S.S.M. with a young woman.

Because communications is such a big, wide world, vocation ministers will be most effective if they create a strategy. By creating a strategic plan for vocation communications, ministers must make important decisions that will keep them focused and increase the impact of their actions. The planning process involves:

• Defining a target audience, that is, the group most likely to respond to a vocation invitation.

• Narrowing the types of media you use according to what your target audience uses.

• Developing key messages according to who you are and what your audience most seeks in religious life.

If you don't yet have a strategic plan for communications, the new year is an ideal time to begin creating one. Start with the HORIZON article "Create a vocation communications plan," by Cheryl Aughton, director of communications for the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities. Other relevant HORIZON articles can be found in the online HORIZON library under the categories of "Communications" and "Social media."

Hesburgh Sabbatical Program

Looking for rest or renewal in a supportive, inquiring, and faith-based environment? The Hesburgh Sabbatical Program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago is accepting applications for the spring 2017 sabbatical experience, which runs January 30 through May 12.

RFC to host webinar on younger members Feb. 17

The Religious Formation Conference will sponsor "The Transformation of Religious Life: Reflections from Younger Members" on February 17 at 2 p.m. Central Time.

Presented by Ted Dunn, Ph.D. this webinar will look at his recent survey of sisters under age 50 on the transformation of religious life. These sisters shared what they see emerging on the horizon of religious life. For details or to register go to relforcon.org.

Brothers Symposium March 25

A national Brothers Symposium will be held at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana on March 25. The program will be based on the Vatican document "Identity and Mission of the Religious Brother in Church," with Brother John Mark Falkenhain, O.S.B. serving as keynote speaker. The event is  sponsored by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, the National Religious Vocation Conference, the Religious Brothers Conference, the Religious Formation Conference, and the University of Notre Dame. Further information is available here.

Religious priesthood conference

The Center for the Study of Consecrated Life will sponsor a conference on religious life priesthood April 6-7 at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Three keynoters will speak: Archbishop Joseph Tobin, C.S.S.R.; Edward Hahnenberg, Ph.D.; and Father Robin Ryan, C.P. For more information, see ctuconsecratedlife.org.

Save the date: 2018 conference on intercultural competency

Saint Luke Institute and St. Meinrad Archabbey, Seminary and School of Theology will host the second biennial human formation conference, April 15-18, 2018, in St. Meinrad, Indiana. The topic will be "Intercultural Competencies for Human Formation."

The conference is designed for individuals and teams involved in leadership and initial and ongoing formation. Details will be available soon. If you have questions or want to make sure you are on the outreach list, please visit sliconnect.org/conferences or contact Beth Davis at sliconnect@sli.org.

What roles do you play in vocation ministry?

I'm located in Aston, Pennsylvania and I'm one of two vocation promoters for Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. Also I'm currently co-coordinator of the NRVC Delaware Valley member area.

How long have you been in vocation work?

Three years.

What's your favorite part of the ministry?

I enjoy meeting young women and men who are curious about religious life and are considering it as a possibility for their life.

Has belonging to NRVC been helpful?

Yes, being an active member of NRVC has been a great support since I began this ministry. The members in my area have been so encouraging and helpful as we share our experiences at our meetings, in phone conversations, and by working together on group-sponsored events and in peer supervision. Their enthusiasm and energy are contagious and carry me through the challenging times. Also the NRVC Convocations in 2014 and 2016 have opened up a wealth of resources that address issues in vocation ministry.

What has been your best vocation effort so far?

My best vocation effort has been working with our community vocation committee, a group of dedicated sisters who live on both the East and the West Coast. The work we have created for our congregation fits into our chapter directives of 2014, and our efforts are bearing fruit in a growing awareness of the need for individual ownership of the vocation endeavor.

Contact Sister Chris at cwagner@osfphila.org or 610-558-6789.